Revolution: A Global Independent Living Movement
Annual Conference on Independent Living 2017
Conference Program
July 24-27, 2017
Grand Hyatt
Washington, DC
Image: A globe in NCIL blue encompasses a heart symbol.
A Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to NCIL’s 2017 Annual Conference on Independent Living!
In the wake of a new Administration and troubling changes to services for people with disabilities in our country, it may be tempting to turn our focus inwards at this time. Instead, we are expanding our vision to celebrate the strides being made in the Independent Living Movement around the world. We unite with our friends both nationally and internationally to present our 2017 Annual Conference on Independent Living: Revolution – A Global Independent Living Movement.
Independent Living is not just an American issue. Globally, there are over one billion people with disabilities, comprising one fifth of the world’s population, according to the World Report on Disability. We must continue to advocate so that people with disabilities can live wherever and however they choose.
Now is the time to join forces with our international allies as we push back against the rising tide of discrimination and bigotry that confronts people with disabilities every day. We have come together this summer to proclaim that we will not be silenced. Independence may have sparked our fire, but it is interdependence that will keep it burning.
I would especially like to thank our sponsors: Anthem; Centene; Uber; Verizon; United Healthcare; Waymo; Ability360; Walmart; IndependenceFirst; Center for Disability Rights; Pride Mobility; National Disability Institute / The LEAD Center; Molina Healthcare; Institute for Educational Leadership; Independent Living Center of the North Shore and Cape Ann; Microsoft; Youth Transitions Collaborative; and Disability Power & Pride.
Kelly Buckland
Table of Contents
· A Message from the Executive Director:
· Agenda:
· Schedule of Events:
· Workshops & Poster Sessions:
· Keynote Speakers:
· What to Bring:
· Map of Independence Level (5B):
· Rules of Conduct for Annual Meetings:
· Access, Accommodations, Resources:
· NCIL Regions by State:
· Onsite Registration:
· Sponsors:
· Advocate’s Guide to the Hill:
Agenda
Saturday, July 22
· 1:30 - 6:00 p.m. — NCIL Board Meeting
Sunday, July 23
· 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. — Global IL Summit
· 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. — Conference Registration Open
Monday, July 24
· 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Registration Open
· 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. — Opening Plenary
· 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. — Legislative & Advocacy Update
· 11:30 - 11:45 a.m. — Preparing for the Day on the Hill
· Lunch (on your own)
· 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. — Greater Washington Internship Coalition Presentation
· 1:00 - 2:15 p.m. — Concurrent Workshops I
· Regional Caucuses
o 2:45 - 3:45 p.m. — Regions 6-10
o 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. — Regions 1-5
· 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. — Diversity Mixer
Tuesday, July 25
· 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. — Organize for the March
· 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. — March to & Rally at the Capitol
· 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. — Hill Visits
Wednesday, July 26
· 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Registration and Exhibits Open
· 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. — Concurrent Workshops II
· 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — Exhibit Fair
· 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — Film Screening: Rooted in Rights’ “Bottom Dollars”
· 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. — Awards Luncheon
· 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. — Annual Meeting
· 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. — Revolution & Global Unity Celebration
Thursday, July 27
· 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. — Registration and Exhibits Open
· 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. — Concurrent Workshops III
· 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. — Concurrent Workshops IV
· Lunch (on your own)
· 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. — NCIL Youth Caucus Annual In-Person Meeting
· 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. — Concurrent Workshops V
· 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. — Legislative Debriefing
· 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. — Closing Forum: Q&A with the ILA
Friday, July 28
· 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. — NCIL Board Meeting
Schedule of Events
Saturday, July 22
NCIL Board Meeting: 1:30 - 6:00 p.m. / Declaration AB
NCIL Board meetings are open to the public. If you plan to attend this event and require an accommodation, please contact by July 17, 2017.
Sunday, July 23
Global Independent Living Summit: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. / Constitution CDE *
The Independent Living Movement is growing rapidly.In recent years, we’ve had as many as 1,500 attendees at NCIL’s Annual Conference from all 50 states and around the world.Centers for Independent Living are springing up in the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Taiwan, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, to name just a few.The Global IL Summit represents an unprecedented step forward for NCIL and the Independent Living Movement as a whole. We will join together to learn from one another and explore the creation of a global network for Independent Living.
* Space is limited.Only delegates who applied and were accepted may attend.
Monday, July 24
Opening Plenary: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. / Independence A
International disability rights activist and IL hero Judy Heumann will deliver an opening keynote address to kick off a week of movement-building and global solidarity. Fasten your seatbelts, because no one embodies the theme of Revolution like Judy Heumann. See Keynote Speakers section for biographical information. Don’t miss this exciting 2017 Annual Conference opener!
Legislative & Advocacy Update: 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. / Independence A
Get up-to-date information on the progress of NCIL’s advocacy efforts from the Chairs of NCIL’s Legislative & Advocacy Committees. The Chairs will review and answer questions about NCIL’s advocacy talking points so participants are fully prepared for their Congressional visits on Tuesday.
Preparing for the Day on the Hill: 11:30 - 11:45 a.m. / Independence A
Learn the ABCs of NCIL’s March & Rally, including where to meet, what to bring, important information about our route, what to do in case of an emergency, and how to get home after your Capitol Hill Visits.
Greater Washington Internship Coalition Presentation:12:00 - 1:00 p.m. / Franklin
We invite staff who work directly with youth from Centers for Independent Living and Statewide Independent Living Councils to come learn about the Greater Washington Internship Coalition (GWIC), a group of organizations dedicated to providing resources and internship opportunities for youth with disabilities. The meeting will feature several presentations from prominent members with internship opportunities, allowing CILs and SILCs to see what programs are available for their young consumers. For more information on the Greater Washington Internship Coalition, please visit www.gwicinternships.org. This is a brown bag lunch, and is open to youth transition coordinators, CIL & SILC staff who work directly with youth, and members of GWIC.
Concurrent Workshops I: 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
See page 9-11 for descriptions, presenters, and locations.
Regional Caucuses:
→ Regions VI through X: 2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
→ Regions I through V: 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
This is your opportunity to strategize for your Capitol Hill Visits. Each state decides who will attend which meeting to ensure that every legislator is visited. A list of Regions by state is available on page 26. Please note the separate times listed for Regions I - V and VI - X.
· Regions 1 & 8: Independence BC
· Regions 2 & 7: Independence FGHI
· Regions 3 & 6: Independence A
· Regions 4 & 9: Independence DE
· Regions 5 & 10: Lafayette / Farragut
Diversity Mixer: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. / Independence A
The Diversity Committee will present awards to NCIL members who have committed themselves to centering people of color, LGBTQIA, young people, and other communities underrepresented in IL. Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available, accompanied by a cash-bar.
Tuesday, July 25
Organize for the March: 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. / 11th & G Streets NW
Participants should assemble at 9:30 a.m. at G and 11th Streets, NW. The March will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m.
March to the US Capitol: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
NCIL members march from the Grand Hyatt to Capitol Hill demonstrating support for the independence of people with disabilities! A map of the Rally location and directions to and from the Hyatt are available on pages 32-33.
Lunch: 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. / West Front Lawn of the US Capitol Building / Rally Site
Bag lunches will be provided to conference registrants.
2017 Rally at the US Capitol: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Marchers will converge in front of the Capitol Building for an empowering Rally featuring a number of speakers, including leaders in the Independent Living Movement and elected officials working on the issues we care about most.
Capitol Hill Visits: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Participants are encouraged to meet with their elected officials and their staffs to discuss issues important in their districts. Congressional contact information is available at house.gov and senate.gov, or you can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your Senators' and / or Representative's office. Participants must arrange their own accommodations, including interpreters, for Hill Visits ahead of time. Contact with any questions.
Wednesday, July 26
Concurrent Workshops II: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
See page 11-14 for descriptions, presenters, and locations.
Exhibit Fair: 10:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / Independence Foyer
Spend some time browsing the products and services offered by our exhibitors, many of which are your fellow NCIL members. The NCIL Conference would not be possible without the generous support of our exhibitors and sponsors. Exhibits will be open all day Wednesday and Thursday.
Film Screening - Rooted in Rights’ “Bottom Dollars”: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / Lafayette / Farragut
Join Rooted in Rights for an open captioned and audio described screening of Bottom Dollars, their new hour-long documentary that exposes the segregated workplaces and low wages often paid to people with disabilities. Through personal stories and expert interviews, the film presents a vision for better alternatives that promote community inclusion, equal opportunity, and fair wages. After the screening, the Rooted in Rights team will share their experiences with Bottom Dollars as a case study in how film screenings can be used in successful community organizing. Explore best practices for accessible events that energize members and leave with a free DVD!
Awards Luncheon: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. / Independence Ballroom
Join us to celebrate and honor this year’s national award winners! Awards will be presented over lunch. Admission to this event is included in full Conference registration.
Annual Council Meeting: 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. / Independence A
Attend the Annual Council Meeting to vote for Board members and resolutions that will guide NCIL in the coming years. This year, elections will be held for: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Diversity Chair and three Members-At-Large. Elections for Representatives of Regions I, III, V, VII, and IX will be held prior to the Conference and the winners will be announced at the meeting. CILs and SILCs must pay their 2017 dues in full by June 26 (30 days prior) to be eligible to vote in person or by proxy.
Revolution & Global Unity Celebration: 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. / Independence Ballroom
Join us as we celebrate the revolution. Come ready to join your fellow advocates in merriment and don’t forget your dancing shoes! Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available free of charge, accompanied by a cash-bar.
Thursday, July 27
Concurrent Workshops III: 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
See page 14-17 for descriptions, presenters, and locations.
Concurrent Workshops IV: 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
See page 17-19 for descriptions, presenters, and locations.
Concurrent Workshops V: 1:30 - 2:45 p.m.
See page 20-22 for descriptions, presenters, and locations.
NCIL Youth Caucus Annual In-Person Meeting: 12:15 - 1:00 p.m. / Franklin
The NCIL Youth Caucus will meet to discuss their 2016 year-in-review and goals for 2017. This event is open to any Youth Caucus member, NCIL youth scholarship recipient, or anyone under the age of 26 who is interested in joining the NCIL Youth Caucus. This is a brown bag lunch.
Legislative Debriefing: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. / Independence A
This session will summarize the advocacy accomplished during the week and serve as a springboard for development of a plan of action that can be implemented at the national, state, and local levels during the coming year.
Closing Forum: Q&A with the ILA: 4:15 - 5:00 p.m. / Independence A
Bob Williams, Deputy Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities and Director of the Independent Living Administration, will address NCIL members and conduct a question and answer session with the audience before we return home and prepare to make change. See Keynote Speakers section for biographical information about Bob Williams.
Friday, July 28
NCIL Board Meeting: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / Lafayette / Farragut
NCIL Board meetings are open to the public. If you plan to attend this event and require an accommodation, please contact by July 17, 2017.
Workshops & Poster Sessions
Poster Sessions
A poster session is the presentation of research information with an academic or professional focus. Posters are displayed throughout the NCIL Conference space at the discretion of the presenter.
Creative Community Access
Poster by: Audrey Schremmer - Executive Director, Three Rivers Inc.
Three Rivers Inc. collaborated with the University of Kansas Engineering Department and the National Science Foundation BREAK program to engineer an accessible children's train car so that children using wheelchairs can now fully experience riding the Spirit of Wamego Train that has operated in the city park since 1947. This poster presentation outlines the collaborative methods, which included multiple public and private partnerships, to accomplish this project, which is believed to be one of a kind in the United States.